Fireflies, also known as lightning bugs, are nocturnal beetles that are actually really beneficial in the garden. They feed on slugs and snails, which can destroy plants (they especially like edibles like beans, lettuce, and tomatoes). They don’t bite, and they’re not poisonous. They also don’t carry diseases like other backyard insects. Fireflies’ glow comes from a chemical reaction inside their bodies that allows them to light up and signal to other fireflies....

Before building a porch swing, ensure the ceiling framing on your porch is strong enough to support a two-person swing. If your joists are adequately supported at both ends for load-bearing applications, you should be fine to attach the swing to a single 2x8 joist, two 2x6 joists, or three 2x4 joists. This swing is designed to attach to the ceiling by a hook. Look for an S-hook suitable for outdoor exposure (look for galvanized or stainless steel) with a working load rating of at least 500 pounds....

Credit cards serve a myriad of purposes—providing a way to consolidate expenses, establish or build credit, earn points or rewards, make a big one-time payment without impacting cash flow in the short term, and more. Credit card spending can also bring with it a host of ingrained reflexes and assumptions, depending on your history with the powerful piece of plastic. You may feel excitement at the new world of possibilities that opens with a swipe, tap, or click, or you may feel anxiety about mounting debt and compounding interest—and sometimes, both....

The first step to learning how to carve a convincing jack-o’-lantern actually starts at the pumpkin patch (or your local store). Set yourself up for carving success by selecting a pumpkin in its prime. Choose one with an intact stem—the greener the better. “The stem is the lifeline to the pumpkin, providing moisture and nutrients even after it’s been cut from the vine,” says Marc Evan, of Maniac Pumpkin Carvers....

Farmhouse fabrics are informal and treasured for their countrified associations, high-contrast color combinations, touchable weaves, and hand-stitched beginnings. Utilitarian textiles like recycled grain sacks, ticking-striped towels, red-checked tablecloths, and calico aprons are finding new life in country decor. They pop up as upholstery fabrics, throw pillows, bed skirts, and quilts. Want to establish farmhouse style in your home? Here’s a look at the fabrics, patterns, and textiles that let you create country character....

“Additionally, the buildup from spills and splatters can lead to decreased efficiency or potentially void your warranty,” notes home expert Noell Jett, author of From the Ground Up: Building a Dream House—and a Beautiful Life—through Grit and Grace. “In the worst-case scenario, a dirty microwave can even cause a fire.” As it turns out, cleaning a microwave and keeping it sparkling is surprisingly easy. Almost magically easy, really. Keep scrolling to learn how to clean a microwave inside and out, including how to clean the microwave filter....

How to Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Oven By roasting your squash halves in a hot oven with a bit of olive oil and salt, you’ll get a caramelized flavor that highlights the squash’s natural sweetness. The process takes almost an hour, though, so keep that in mind when you’re planning dinner. How to Cook Spaghetti Squash in the Microwave If you’re in a pinch, the microwave is your best bet for cooking spaghetti squash....

Decorate for the Season These pumpkin decorations won’t intimidate young trick-or-treaters when walking up to your doorstep for candy. Plus, you don’t need to tear it down as soon as November arrives—white lanterns, hay bales, and muted fall colors will carry you through the entire season! Use this design as inspiration to create a front door Halloween display of your own. Step Up Your Stairway A stairway is prime real estate for outdoor fall decorations....

However, a balanced diet that is great for your body and mind does not restrict you from pizza or cookies. Believe it or not, it’s better for your overall well-being to have a certain percentage of seemingly unhealthy foods in your diet. We asked nutrition experts for a few tips on eating a balanced diet without shame or regret. These little habits will help you make the right body-fueling choices for the long haul and help you realistically reach your health goals....

Before you start squashing the little pests, play detective for a few minutes. Try to figure out what’s attracting the ants by watching where they’re going and what they’re doing. This will help you decide which of the methods below to use to banish them from your lemon trees. Why Ants Are Attracted to Lemon Trees You may notice ants crawling randomly around your plants in search of food, or they may be a little more goal-focused....

So ditch the frozen food you won’t eat, then learn how to properly freeze the foods you often eat (hello, frozen avocados!). We’re sharing some kitchen-altering freezer tips and answering several frequently asked questions: Can glass go in the freezer? Yes, but it needs to be tempered glass. Can you freeze eggs? Only if prepared correctly. Keep reading to find out more. You may reinforce techniques you already know and also learn some new tricks to keep your food tasting fresh....

Rotating your mattress has some clear-cut answers to those questions (about every three months, carefully, and yes, probably), while retirement planning can be a little more vague and situation-specific. The good news for retirement planners, though, is that you can get really, truly excited about retirement planning, and doing so can help motivate you to set and reach goals for a better future and find answers to those big questions for yourself....

While it’s a common skincare concern, not many people understand its causes or the proper way to treat sebaceous filaments. So we spoke with three board-certified dermatologists to answer all of our questions. What Are Sebaceous Filaments? Sebaceous filaments are a normal part of the skin structure, explains Loretta Ciraldo, MD, a Miami-based, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta Skincare. “They are tube-like structures that line our pores,” she says....

How to Prevent Smoke Smells in the First Place Be sure the fireplace damper is open before starting a fire and remove the ashes after every use. Have the chimney flue inspected and cleaned yearly. Do not leave cooking food unattended in the oven or on the stovetop. Do not allow cigarette or cigar smoking indoors. To help confine cigarette smoke to one room, close doors to the rest of the house....

Luckily, you don’t really need an iron to get wrinkles out of clothes. In fact, many clothing care hacks require far less effort and time. It won’t even need a trip to the dry cleaner or for you to spend much, if any, money. However, the easiest way to get rid of wrinkles is to prevent them in the first place. After all, clothing doesn’t just wrinkle on its own....

We consulted three of the leading voices in dermatology to advise how they treat patients with uneven skin texture: Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Dermatology; Caroline Robinson, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Tone Dermatology; and Paul Jarrod Frank, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist and chief medical officer and founder of the PFRANKMD Brand. Here are their tips for helping combat uneven skin texture on both your face and body....

A large wire wreath frame is perfect for making a succulent door wreath. You can also swap in a smaller version to make a beautiful centerpiece for the table. Just add votives in the center. What You’ll Need Large wire wreath frame4 bunches of spruce branches1 bunch of olive branches1 bunch of seeded eucalyptus branches (with tiny pods among the leaves)1 bunch of gray Berzelia branches (which look like mini pom poms)8 or 9 echeveria succulents (each 4 inches wide; or for a smaller wreath, each 3 inches wide)1 or 2 manzanita branches (from a flower shop) or nice twigs from the yardGarden gloves, shears, and 1 spool of medium-gauge floral wire...

We consulted Keith Lada, executive chef of The Skinny Pancake—an assortment of creperies founded in Burlington, Vt.—for his expert advice on how to make crepes at home. Keep reading for his pointers, a crepe recipe, and many sweet and savory ideas for different crepe filings. You’ll be making crepes at home in no time! What Equipment You’ll Need Chef Lada assured us that you don’t need to buy a fancy crepe pan to make crepes at home; all you need is a nonstick skillet, along with a rubber spatula for flipping....

How to Make Deviled Eggs First, boil your eggs. To do so, Real Simple’s preferred method is to fill a saucepan with water and add the eggs. Heat over high until the water comes to a boil, then turn off heat, keeping the pot covered, and let the eggs cook. Deviled eggs require harder yolks, so you’ll want to cook the eggs in this water for about 10 minutes. Then, remove the eggs from the pot and let them chill in an ice bath....

How to Make Meat Loaf To get started, you’ll need a great meat loaf recipe. We’ll be using our Test Kitchen’s Best Meat Loaf to demonstrate these steps, but you can also use the tips while making your favorite family recipe. Preheat your oven to 350ºF and follow this step-by-step process to learn how to make meat loaf in the oven. Step 1: Prepare Meat Loaf Ingredients Our meat loaf recipe combines mushrooms, onion, carrot, and garlic....